Five facts about Indian basketball star Pranav Prince

Published at :August 22, 2023 at 5:55 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:12 PM

Was the top Indian scorer with 64 points at the recently concluded FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament Asia 2023

Pranav Prince is a prominent figure in the realm of Indian basketball, capturing the attention of enthusiasts across the nation. At a mere 20 years of age, Pranav is dedicatedly pursuing his father’s aspirations, who harbored a deep desire for his son to excel as a basketball player.

The youngster demonstrates exceptional defensive prowess, particularly in his aptitude as a weakside help defender. His ability to execute precise rotations and utilize his impressive +4.5 wingspan effectively dissuades opponents from attempting shots near the rim.

Although he may occasionally falter in tracking backdoor cutters or engage in fruitless attempts to strip the ball, such instances of vulnerability are comparatively infrequent when considering his age and experience.

In this article we will look at five major facts related to Pranav Prince:

Living his Father’s dream

In a nation where cricket often dominates the limelight, pursuing a career in another sport, particularly one that is still striving to gain widespread recognition and acceptance, presents a formidable challenge for any athlete.

But Pranav’s father, a native of Alappuzha, Kerala, and primarily employed as a taxi driver, aspired for his son to embark on a career in the field of Basketball. In order to provide the finest opportunities for his son, he made the decision to transfer Pranav from a CBSE school to St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, recognizing its commitment to promoting basketball excellence.

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Fast learner

Keralite displayed remarkable aptitude and possessed a commendable stature, enabling him to swiftly acquire new skills. Subsequently, his talents secured him a place in the district sub-junior team, where he showcased exceptional abilities.

Recognizing his outstanding performance, Pranav Prince was bestowed with the prestigious title of the best player during the State sub-junior championship in 2014. His skills warranted the representation of Kerala in the Sub-junior Nationals of the same year, and in the following year, he was entrusted with the captaincy of the team.

Pranav, furthering his accomplishments, also represented Kerala schools in the Youth School Nationals and played an integral role in the Under-19 National Championship as a proud member of the Kerala team.

Intent for growth

Prince embarked on his remarkable journey within the NBA’s development program in India when he actively participated in the prestigious 2016-17 Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA program.

Following his exceptional performance, in the year 2018, he had the distinction of being chosen as one of the esteemed members of the Academy’s second class of exceptional student-athletes, an honor exclusively bestowed upon just eight individuals who were identified through the prestigious ACG-NBA Jump program.

During his initial year at the state-of-the-art facility located in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Prince left an indelible impression on the coaches with his unwavering commitment and unparalleled work ethic. Notably, he became the second male student-athlete hailing from the NBA Academy India, after the esteemed Jagshaanbir Singh, to secure a coveted high-school basketball scholarship within the United States.

Style of play

Primarily a proficient slasher, Prince does not possess exceptional explosiveness nor does he showcase intricate ball-handling skills. However, he is able to effectively bypass defenders due to his impressive fluidity, coordination, and the advantage of his physique.

**Pranav Prince made his debut for Indian basketball senior in 2021 during the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers (Courtesy: FIBA)**

One notable offensive skill of his is his remarkable ability to secure rebounds. Throughout EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League), he averaged an impressive four offensive rebounds per game. It is important to note that these numbers may be slightly inflated given the circumstances of the league, as EYBL players often neglect to box out. Nonetheless, Prince consistently demonstrates an ability to secure rebounds of high caliber.

Road towards Future

Pranav, having now become a regular member of the Indian squad, nurtures a fervent aspiration to secure a place in the esteemed NBA season. This endeavor places him in an elite category of Indian basketball players who have embarked upon such a path.

In the event of achieving his long-held dream, Pranav would exemplify a shining role model for aspiring young basketball players. During his initial year at the NBA Academy, he dedicated himself to honing his physique, which yielded positive outcomes in the latter half of 2019. Demonstrating exceptional performance, he emerged as a leading scorer and rebounder for the NBA Academy India squad.

Noteworthy recognition also came his way, as he was duly awarded the title of Team MVP during Stage 1 of the Euro Youth Basketball League held in Hungary in September 2019.

Infused with an unwavering commitment to hard work, Pranav possesses a profound understanding of the formidable challenges that lie ahead, diligently devising strategies to surmount them.

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